Until fairly recently, people living with chronic lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis or with advanced cardiopulmonary issues who needed supplemental oxygen had to deal with the hassle of heavy cylinders, scheduling deliveries from medical supply companies, and having to modify or being unable to participate in activities such as travel. These cylinders required a carrying bag or wheeled cart for transporting, and could not be carried on planes due to the risk of explosion. The newest solution which addresses these problems is the innovative oxygen concentrator.

Powered by batteries or electricity, a concentrator draws in air, filters out particulate matter and traps nitrogen, allowing a steady stream or pulse of oxygen to be delivered to the user via a cannula. Concentrators are portable and can operate anywhere they have a power source.

 
Rehabmart offers the SOLO2 Transportable Oxygen Concentrator Kit from Invacare. It delivers oxygen in the user's choice of up to three liters per minute flow or in one of five pulse dosage settings. While it's sturdy enough to be used in health care facilities, it weighs less than twenty pounds and operates easily, making it perfect for use in home care situations as well. It is also portable enough to allow users to go about their activities of daily living such as shopping, dining out, trips to the library, socializing and so on without the need to have a cumbersome tank in tow. No need to hand in your frequent flyer card, either, since the concentrator is FAA approved and can operate at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. Most airlines require a physician's letter, so please check with them before booking a flight. 

The unit may be powered by either simply plugging it into an electricity source, or by a rechargeable battery pack that's sold separately. The battery pack holds the charge for up to two and a half hours, depending on the liter-per-minute setting, allowing plenty of time for a latte with a friend. Conversations won't be interrupted by the hissing sounds that traditional oxygen delivery systems make because the SOLO2 is very quiet, running at less than 39 decibels when set at two liters per minute.  

There's also no need to open the shell to change the filters. The HEPA, gross particle, and compressor inlet filters can simply be pulled out and new ones inserted. Rehabmart offers these replacement filters as well.

At one time, reduced mobility because of the unwieldy oxygen cylinders may have been an issue. But with today's concentrators, users can reap the benefits of easier breathing, reduced incidents of headaches, an increase in the ability to focus, and an increase in energy levels, allowing the individual to return to gentle activities while protecting the heart and other organs from damage. The SOLO2 helps supplemental oxygen users to expand their horizons by providing the air they require wherever they may roam.

Fran Jablway,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO